1992 Pontiac GRAND AM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
88 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
88,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 88 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 17.0% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 16 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 5 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 16; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Electrical System:Ignition: 7; Structure:Body:Door: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 83 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 29 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 29; 1996: 11; 2000: 21; 2001: 16; 2002: 3; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001670 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE AND THEN SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE COVERING THE ENGINE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006504 · 2000-09-21 (September 21, 2000)
I HAVE A LETTER FROM PONTIAC DATE NOV, 1995. WHICH STATES THAT 2.3L QUAD OHC ENGINE HAVE A DEFECT OF CRACKING CYLINDER THAT ALLOWS COOLANT TO LEAK FROM THE CYLINDER HEADS. THE LETTER ALSO STATES.. DO NOT BRING YOUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER UNLESS THIS OCCURS. THE STATED IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHIN SEVEN YEARS OR 100,000 MILES THEY WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD FREE OF CHARGE.. MY CAR IS 8 YEARS OLD NOW AND HAS ONLY 79000 MILES ON IT. NEITHER THE DEALER OR PONTIAC CORP. WILL REPAIR THIS FOR ME WITHOUT PAYING FOR ALL CHARGES WHICH ARE APPROX…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006504 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006743 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. * PH. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023065 · 2003-06-14 (June 14, 2003)
I HAVE A 92 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND THE PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WERE TO BE IN CRASH? PONTIAC SAYS THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS BUT I FOUND SOMETHING ON THE WEB THAT SAYS THERE WAS. IT WAS ON THIS WEB SITE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039987 · 2003-11-18 (November 18, 2003)
COOLANT LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR HOSE HAD A SPLIT IN IT. THE SAME WEEK THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE BRAKE LINE BROKE. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE INCORRECT BRAKE PARTS WERE INSTALLED AND THAT THE RADIATOR CLAMPS WERE LOOSE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED INVOICES FROM THE DEALER …
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040622 · 2003-11-17 (November 17, 2003)
THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SLOWED DOWN, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM THIS WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT IN WHICH THE WRONG PART WAS INSTALLED. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090083 · 2004-08-31 (August 31, 2004)
WATER WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 179,085 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090083 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10142456 · 2005-11-11 (November 11, 2005)
CAUSE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION: I HAD A PONTIAC GRAND AM 1992 AND THE VEHICLE DID ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. THE CAUSE IS A LITTLE PIECE OF RUBBER THAT SLIDES OFF THE PRESSURE VALVE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN AN AVERAGE OF 30M/PH, REGARDLESS OF WHICH GEAR THE CAR IS IN. THE MAIN REASON THE PLASTIC SLIDES OFF IS IF THE CAR HAS BEEN FLOORED. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU DRIVE TOO FAST AND PRESS THE GAS TOO HARD, THEN THE RUBBER WILL SLOWLY SLIP OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF PRESSURE AND AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION. MUST GET PROBLEM FIXED OR GET RID OF CAR. I …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10142456 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
91V182000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Reported: 1991-10-21 (October 21, 1991)
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE EASY-ENTRY SEAT ADJUSTER MAY FAIL FULLY LOCK INTO POSITION AFTER THE SEAT BACK HAS BEEN TILTED FORWARD AND THE SEAT SLID FORWARD, THEN RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL POSTITION.
Consequence: IF THE SEAT ADJUSTER FAILS TO LOCK INTO POSITION, THEPASSENGER SEAT WOULD SLIDE FORWARD IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.OCCUPANTS OF THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD FACE INCREASED RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY.
Remedy: REPLACE THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY ON THE SEAT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V204000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1991-11-19 (November 19, 1991)
THE BOLTS AND NUTS WHICH ATTACH THE BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLY TO THE REAR AXLE FLANGE ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED ON SOME VEHICLES.
Consequence: THIS WOULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE BEARING-HUBASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO THE REAR AXLE FLANGE AND COULD CAUSE ELONGATION ANDEVENTUAL SEPARATION OF THE ATTACHING BOLTS FROM THE REAR AXLE FLANGE. IF THISWERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE AFFECTED TIRE AND WHEEL COULDTRACK ERRATICALLY, EVENTUALLY CAUSING FAILURE OF THE OTHER ATTACHING BOLTS. THETIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN AVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: TIGHTEN REAR AXLE BEARING-HUB ASSEMBLY FASTENERS, AND REPLACE ALL THE FASTENERS ON A WHEEL IF TWO OR MORE BOLTS ARE FOUND TO BE LOOSE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V106000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
Reported: 1992-07-17 (July 17, 1992)
THE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT SUSPENSION UPPER SPRING SEAT AT THE RIGHT-REAR POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A REAR IMPACT ACCIDENT, THE RIGHT-HAND REAR WHEEL HOUSE FLANGE COULD SEVER THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE AND SPILL FUEL.
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 301,FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. SPILLED FUEL IN A LOW SPEED ACCIDENT CAN RESULT IN AFIRE.
Remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE INCORRECT UPPER SPRING SEAT WITH THE CORRECT PART.
NHTSA campaign record ↗